Seminar #4 - Reflexology and End of Life Care

Seminar #4
Reflexology and End of Life Care

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Presenter: Dr. Peter Mackereth, PhD,
Author, Researcher, and lead tutor for the ‘Complementary Approaches to End-of-Life Care’

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➡️ Description

My focus is to explore the challenges, issues and concerns for therapists who seek to offer reflexology at the End of Life (EoL). The aims of the session are to:

1. Briefly introduce the concept of the ‘liminal space’ and explore values and beliefs in relationship death and dying, including cultural, religious spiritual
2. Overview EoL symptoms and concerns, including physiological and psychological changes/impact for patients and carers at EoL, such as pain and discomfort, terminal agitation, ascites etc.
3. Review research and evaluation work related to reflexology and supportive/palliative care
4. Share interventions that can complement or be combined with reflexology that can be included in your therapeutic toolbox in supporting patients (and carers).
5. Make recommendations for adapting reflexology practice in the context of EoL, including care of self.

➡️ Bibliography

Mackereth P Sexton J (2016) End of Life and Reflexology: creating a loving cocoon. Reflexions March, 13-14

Mackereth P (2012) Reflexology in Palliative & Supportive Care: the CASE model. Reflexions. June,16–18

Tiran D Mackereth P (2010) Clinical Reflexology. 2nd Edition. Elsevier Science.